​Cyber Awareness in the Middle School- I'm often asked my opinion about students' online presence from parents and guardians. Growing up as an adolescent in the 21st century is full of challenges related to internet usage that we did not face ourselves when we were growing up. At ISS we spend a great deal of time and creative energy educating our students about safe on-line behaviour. We stress to students the importance of maintaining their privacy on-line and being respectful to others in line with our Code of Conduct (imbedded within our Parent Student Handbook) and our ISS Responsible Use Agreement.

As parents and guardians, you can help to support our efforts to encourage responsible online citizenship and child safety by being informed and proactive with your children. Parents/ guardians should be aware of the following:

The internet is now an indispensible learning tool used each day in classes. However, even with the most effective website blocking software installed on your child's computer, at times they will be either accidentally or intentionally exposed to images and information that are inappropriate in nature. It is up to both teachers and parents to monitor students' internet activity and help them know how to steer clear of this material both at home and at school.

Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Peer pressure and perceived lack of consequences have a role in allowing some students to feel that it is ok to bully others online. Victims of cyberbullying often feel hopeless and depressed by these attacks. Unfortunately, incidents of cyberbullying have become widespread in local Singapore schools. While we are not immune to cyberbullying, the Middle School is very proactive in dealing firmly with students involved in inappropriate online behaviour and providing education about cyberbullying to all students through our pastoral programme.

At ISS, we set the bar very high for student on-line behaviour both on and off campus. I firmly believe that there are no "innocent bystanders" in situations of bullying; online or otherwise. We expect any student who is aware of cyberbullying taking place within our community to actively take positive steps to resolve the situation either by telling an adult or by directly intervening to improve the situation. As a Middle School family, we must all be committed to take care of each other.

Most social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and others have a strict policy to not allow children younger than 13 years old to join. Many ISS parents have chosen not to allow their children to sign up to social media sites even after they turn 13. At ISS, we do not allow children to access these social media sites while at school.

It has been my experience that middle schoolers who are old enough to be allowed to join these social media networks still need to have their online activity carefully monitored. As with any other tool, children need to be taught how to appropriately and safely operate using social media. As a parent or guardian, please don't be afraid to check up on your child's online activity to keep them safe.